Fort Ann Extracted From Gazetteer of the County of Washington, N.Y. Comprising A Correct Statistical & Miscellaneous History of the County & Several Towns From Their Organization to the Present Time

By Allen Corey Schuylerville, N.Y., 1849 & 50

[Transcribed by Jane Devlin]

FORT ANN

This town was formerly called Westfield. It then embraced the present towns of Fort Ann, Kingsbury, Hartford, Dresden & Putnam. It was organized in its present name in 1809. The face of the township is diversified with mountains & valleys, and is the largest township in the County. A large portion of the land is sterile & barren. Wood Creek, the principal streem, runs North & empties into Lake champlain at Whitehall, and for several miles is used for Canal purposes.

A Fort called Fort Ann was erected near the present Village of Fort Ann in 1757. Traces of Burgoyne's road, which was constructed in 1777 may be seen at the present time about two miles South of Fort Ann Village. It was made of logs, &c. During the French & Revolutionary Wars this town was the scene of many a hard fought battle. Several incidents are recored on pages 4th & 5th of this work.

According to the Census of 1845, the population of the town was 3380; males, 1759 -- females, 1621. The number of acres of improved land is 22,987. The amount of Grain raised, as stated in the same work, was as follows: Barley, 19 bushels; Peas, 2148; Beans, 354; Buckwheat, 3121; Turnips, 952; Potatoes, 47,042; Wheat, 2140; Corn, 17,898; Rye, 2094; Oates, 22,352; Flax, 1170 lbs.; Head of neat cattle, 3161. Milk Cows, 1354; Horses, 826; Sheep 15951; Hogs, 1740.

We give below the names of the principal Town Officers since the organization of Westfield. The first annual Town Meeting was held at the house of John Ward on the 22d of January, 1781.

SUPERVISORS

Josiah BENNETT, 1781 to 1783, inclusive

Ozias COLEMAN, 1784

Medad HARVEY, 1785

Alpheus SPENCER, 1786

George WRAY, 1787 to 1792, inclusive

Daniel MASON, 1793

George WRAY, 1794 & 1795

Ralph COFFIN, 1796

Charles KANE, 1797

George WRAY, 1798

Charles KANE, 1799

George wRAY, 1800

Isaac SARGENT, 1801 to 1805 inclusive

Zephaniah KINGSLEY, 1806,1807 & 1808

TOWN CLERKS

Josiah BENNETT, 1781 to 1786, inclusive

George WRAY, 1787 & 1788

Nathaniel BULL, 1789 to 1792, inclusive

Asahel HODGE, 1793

Charles KANE, 1794 to 1797, inclusive

Isaac SARGENT, 1798

Leonard GIBB, 1799

Dennison KINNY, 1800

Lemuel HASTINGS, 1801 to 1808, inclusive

The town of Fort Ann was organized in 1809. It is bounded on the North by Dresden & Whitehall. East by Whitehall & Granville, South by Hebron & Kingsbury, & West by Warren County & Lake George.

The principal officers since the organization have been as follows:

SUPERVISORS

Zephaniah KINGSLEY, 1809 & 1810

Reuben BAKER, 1811

Zephaniah KINGSLEY, 1812 to 1817, inclusive

Lemuel HASTINGS, 1818 to 1824, inclusive

William A. MOORE, 1825 & 1826

Henry THORN, 1827, 1828 & 1829

Benjamin COPELAND, 1830 & 1831

Salmon AXTELL, 1832 to 1837, inclusive

William BAKER, 1838

Ebeneze BROUGHTON, 1839 & 1840

James RICE, 1841 & 1842

James FARR, 1843

George CLEMENTS, 1844

Ebenezer BROUGHTON, 1845

John HILLEBERT, 1846

Robert HOPKINS, 1847

Salmon AXTELL, 1848

Samuel CORNING, 1849

Israel THOMPSON, 1850

TOWN CLERKS

Lemuel HASTINGS, 1809 to 1811, inclusive

Henry THORN, 1812 to 1816, inclusive

Lemuel HASTINGS, 1817

Joseph M. BULL, 1818 to 1829, inclusive

Erastus D. CULVER, 1830 to 1832, inclusive

John SARGENT, 1833 to 1835, inclusive

John SARGENT, Jr., 1836 & 1837

John SARGENT, 1838

Albert L. BAKER, 1839

Isaac CLEMENTS, 1840

Leander N. BURNELL, 1841

John T. COX, 1842 & 1843

Horation G. SHUMWAY, 1844 to 1846, inclusive

Reuben BAKER, 1847

Peletiah JAKWAY, 1848 to 1850, inclusive

JUSTICES OF THE PEACE

Lemuel HASTINGS, 1827

Benjamin COPELAND, 1827

Amos T. BUSH, 1827

John ROOT, 1827

Benjamin COPELAND, 1830

Benjamin COPELAND, 1831

Erastus D. CULVER, 1831

Kingsley MARTIN, 1832

Hiram SHIPMAN, 1833

Benjamin COPELAND, 1834

Henry THORN, 1835

Reuben BAKER, 1836

John HILLEBERT, 1837

John H. THOMPSON, 1838

Leander N. PURNELL, 1839

Albert L. BAKER, 1840

Henry THORN, 1840

John HILLEBERT, 1841

Orestes GARRISON, 1842

Albert L. BAKER, 1843

Reuben BAKER, 1843

Henry THORN, 1844

John H. THOMPSON, 1844

Mathias A. PIKE, 1844

James P. SLOAN, 1845

Charles W. KELLOGG, 1845

John H. THOMPSON, 1846

James P. SLOAN, 1847

Abial W. HOWARD, 1848

George W. THORN, 1849

Isaac C. MIX, 1849

Reuben BAKER, 1849

SUPERINTENDENTS OF COMMON SCHOOLS

John T. COX, 1844

Peletiah JAKWAY, 1845 & 1846

A. AXTEL, 1847 & 1848

Nathaniel W. CHAMBERLAIN, 1850

FORT ANN VILLAGE VILLAGE

This Village is situated on the Northern Canal, about ten miles North of Sandy Hill, & eleven South of Whitehall. It was incorporated in 1820. It contains a Hotel, five Stores, one Baptist, one Presbyterian & one M.E. Church, a Lodge of Odd Fellows, a Tent of Rechabites, & several Mechanics' Shops. The population is estimated at about 600. The Union Church at this place was erected in 1834.

BUSINESS DIRECTORY

TAVERN KEEPER

John BRIGGS

MERCHANTS

HILLEBERT & GARDNER

Isaac CLEMENTS

Jason & Samuel CORNING

George CLEMENTS

Joseph BACON

TAILORS

John SOUTHERLAND

Richard CUNNINGHAM

Elijah STEVENS

HARNESS MAKERS

Asa ROOT & Son

J. D. MITCHELL

WAGON & CARRIAGE MAKERS

MILLER & SKINNER

David P. CARTER

BLACKSMITHS

COX & MASON

Samuel NELSON

G.D.C. RANSOM

MILLER & SKINNER

GROCERS

Israel PATTISON

Thomas McCLURE

David O. BRIGGS

Nathan M. CLARK

Stephen B. CORNING

William CROSBY

George TUCKER

BOOT & SHOE MAKERS

Mitchell MAXFIELD

Joseph BROWN

Warren KINGSLEY

PHYSICIANS

M. N. BABCOCK

C. F. CORBIN (Botanic)

LAWYERS

Henry THORN & Son

P. JAKWAY

S. P. PIKE

BARBER

William H. CROSBY

TANNER

Willis SWIFT

STOVE & TIN SHOP

Charles LEWIS

MILLINERS

Miss Aurelia THOMPSON

Mrs. CLEMENTS

MASON

James F. COON

CARPENTERS

Thomas J. WORDEN

Alfred FAXTON

Truman NICHOLS

James NICHOLS

Morgan B. COLEMAN

WEST FORT ANN

This place si four miles West of Fort Ann Village, on the North Branch of the Half Way Brook. It contains a Store, a Post Office, two Tanneries, a Plaster Mill, &c, &c.

BUSINESS DIRECTORY

MERCHANTS

----- KINGSLEY

TANNERS

Warren KINGSLEY

Gilbert BUSH

FORGE & ANCHOR SHOP

Caleb KINGSLEY

WHEEL WRIGHTS

Fletcher VAN WORMER

D. S. ORCUTT

BLACKSMITHS

Samuel AMIDON

Clark HOW

PLASTER MILL

J. & L. THOMPSON

CLOVER MILL

Benjamin ORR

SAWYER

J. & L. THOMPSON

GRISWOLD'S MILLS

This is a small place, one mile South of West Fort Ann. It contains a Store, a Post Office, & several Mechanics' Shops.

At Brown's Corners, one mile West of West Fort Ann, Elias BROWN keeps a Hotel, & Joshua BROWN carries on the Blacksmithing business.

Mt. Hope is about five miles North of West Fort Ann. There is here a store, Furnace & Saw Mill, carried on by Edward WOODRUFF.
At South Bay, eight miles North of Fort Ann Village, there is a Store, kept by William STEVENSON; a Grocery, by Philander SOLMANS, & a Blacksmit Shop, by William STEVENSON. There are three Carpenters and ten or eleven Saw Mills in the vicinity.

Comstock's Landing is four miles North of Fort Ann Village, and seven miles South of Whitehall, on the Champlain Canal and Saratoga & Washington Rail Road. There is here a Store, kept by Andrew CLARK, & a Tavern kept by E. R. SCOVILLE.

POST OFFICES

Fort Ann Post Office, at Fort Ann Village, was established in 1800. George CLARK was the first Post Master. His successors were Joseph M. BULL, Samuel B. SARGENT, Ebenezer BROUGHTON, George CLEMENTS & Isaac CLEMENTS, who is the present Post Master.

West Fort Ann Post Office was established this year (1850). Hiram EVEREST is Post Master.

Comstock's Landing Post Office was established in 1832. Peter COMSTOCK was the first Post Master, L.N. BURNELL the second, Seymour DALEY the third, Jonathan WOODARD the fourth, Charles W. KELLOGG the fifth, and Nathan LONG the sixth, & present incumbent.
Griswold's Mills Post Office was established in 1833. Elisha FORBES was the first Post Master, Allen POTTER the second, & Stephen POTTER the third. Mr. P. is the present P.M.

FORT ANN LODGE, NO. 31, I. O. OF O. F.

This Lodge was instituted at Fort Ann Village on the 9th of December 1845. First Officers - A. BARLOW, N.G.; H. B. FAN, V.G.; A. AXTELL, R.S.; O.F. BRIGGS, T. Present Officers -- T.J. WORDEN, N.G.; P.H. LAMB, V.G.; N.W. GROOSEBECK, R.S.; Eli SKINNER, Jr., T. Whole number of initiations, about 100. Present number of members, about 70. This Lodge is named Fort Ann in remembrance of Queen Ann Fort which was situated about half a mile South of the Village.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH

The Methodist Episcopal Church at Fort Ann Village was organized in 1824, and Circuit Preaching established from that time. In 1827 a Church building was erected by the different Churches & Societies, and used by all as a Union House. In 1837 the Methodists sold out their share to the Baptists and built a House of Worship of their own, which, with the bell and other fixtures, cost about $4000, and was legally incorporated as a Church.

The following are the names of different Pastors who have been in charge since the organization:-- Rev's Samuel HOWE, Daniel BRAYTON, Sherman MINOR, Julius FIELDS, Elisha ANDREWS, Jacob BEEMAN, Joseph AYERS, J.B. HOUGHTALING, James COVELL, Abiather OSBORN, Charles P. CLARK, E.B. HUBBARD, Seymour COLEMAN, C.D. DEVOL, Coles R. WILKINS, Christopher MORRIS, & Hiram MEEKER, who is the present Pastor. The present number of members is about 100.

BAPTIST CHURCH AT FORT ANN VILLAGE

This Church was organized at Fort Ann Village in 1822. The following are the names of the Pastors who have served the Church:-- Rev's H. GRISWOLD, Bradbury CLAR, Phineas CULVER, Nathaniel CULVER, Barney ALLEN, Samuel MARSHALL, Amos STEARNS, Daniel HARRINGTON, Joseph B. WILKINS, J.O. MASON, William SMITH, George FISHER, & James L. DOUGLASS, who is the present Pastor. The Deacons who have served the Church are as follows:-- Daniel COOK, Elijah GARRISON, John SIMMONS, Samuel COOK, & Morrel BAKER, all of whom have either died or removed. Present Deacons:-- William BRAYTON, Whitman VAUGHN, Russell WINEGAR, Jason CORNING.

BAPTIST CHURCH AT COMSTOCK'S LANDING

This Church was first organized in 1789 by the name of the "First Baptist Church of Westfield." Rev.Sherman BABCOCK was the first Pastor, and ontinued in charge for several years, after which the Church was for some time without a Pastor, but had occasional preaching by licentiates. In 1807, Rev. David HULBERT became the Pastor and continued as such until 1811, after which James ROGERS, a licentiate, served until 1813, when the Rev. D. HULBERT again supplied the Church. In 1816, Rev. Harris GRISWOLD became the Pastor, and continued as such until 13 Dec 1823, when he was dismissed at his own request. In 1825 Rev. Amos STEARNS became the Pastro and continued until 1830, after which Rev. Barney ALLEN served until 1834. Rev. George WITHERELL succeeded him and remained until 1836, when Elder NORRIS became Pastor. He served until 1834, after which Rev. Levi SCOFIELD became Pastor and continued in charge until 1838, when Elder STEARNS returned and took the Pastoral charge. He remained until 1843. His successor, Rev. Caleb C. GURR, remained until 1846, when Rev. Nelson COMBS took Pastoral charge. He served the Church until 1848, and was succeeded by Rev. Amos R. WELLS, who is the present Pastor.

The first Meeting House, erected in 1807, was located about three miles South-east from the present Church. About three years afterwards the present building was raised and partly finished. In 1844, it was completed in modern style. In 1840, the Church was legally incorporated by the name of the "Second Baptist Church & Society of Fort Ann & Whitehall." The first Deacons were Reube BAKER, Shubal MASON, Truman MASON, Comer MASON. Present Deacons:-- John TURNER, George JOHNSON, Asa P. CHURCH, Reuben BAKER is the Clerk. The present number of members is about 74.

The Presbyterian Church at Fort Ann Village was organized about twenty-seven years ago. It has only about twenty-five members, and they have been without a Pastor for several years. There is also a Protestant Methodist Church a short distance North of West For Ann; but we were unable to obtain any statistics in reference to it.